It is true that Athens is more or less considered a summer destination, but Athens can also be discovered out of season, far from the flood of tourists and the overwhelming heat.
Athens in the off-season also means much lower prices than in summer.
If you are planning to go in Autumn, please read our articles Greece in October: weather, where to go, what to do and Greece in November: weather, destinations and holidays.
And for spring: 5 good reasons to go to Greece in Spring
In short, you will have understood that visiting Athens out of season is a great idea!
In any case, whatever the weather, the capital is full of cultural and/or indoor activities. So what to do in Athens in the off-season?
Visit the archaeological sites and museums of Athens in the off-season
But of course! Visiting Athens in the off-season is generally pleasant because there are far fewer people than in summer, which allows you to fully enjoy the archaeological sites. Without suffering from the heat (which is appreciable because some summer days the hill of the Acropolis is a furnace).
And it often happens that the temperatures are still relatively mild in Athens and some days are very sunny.
In addition, outside the summer season (November 1 to March 31), the rates for archaeological sites are reduced. For example, the ticket for the Acropolis costs 10€ while it is 20€ in summer.
It is also an opportunity to visit the museums of Athens and there is no lack of them!
There are of course the great classics: the Acropolis Museum, the Benaki Museum, the Cycladic Art Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum without forgetting the National Archaeological Museum and the National Gallery. But there are other lesser known museums that are also worth a visit:
- the Goulandris foundation : museum of modern and contemporary art
- the numismatic museum (12 Panepistimiou Avenue)
- the Museum of Islamic Art (12 Dipilou Street)
- Theocharakis Foundation for Fine Arts and Music (9 Vassilis Sofias Avenue)
- but also the national museum of history (Stadiou 13)
- the museum of the city of Athens (7 Paparigopoulo street)
- the Pireos annex of the Benaki museum: contemporary art in an industrial style building (138 avenue Pireos)
- the museum of popular music instruments, free of charge (1 Diogenous street)
- and the National Museum of Contemporary Art (corner of Kallirrois and Amvr. Frantzi Street)
- Ilias Lalaounis Goldsmiths’ Museum (12 Kallisperi Street)
- the Greek Folk Art Museum (22 Panos Street)
- or the Jewish museum (39 Nikis street)
- and even the Hellenic Motor Museum (37 Ioulianou street)
=> Our advice: opt for the Athens City Pass which includes the entrance to the Acropolis site + access to several museums as well as to the multi-stop bus which criss-crosses the city with explanations in English.
A seaside getaway in Piraeus, near Athens in the off-season
We propose you to escape to the seaside only twenty minutes from the center of Athens. It’s very easy, you just have to take the metro to get to Piraeus. So you can enjoy a pleasant seaside atmosphere, close to Athens.
Piraeus is a city in its own right, with its different districts. Just a few minutes walk from the metro station, you are in the heart of the city, with its pedestrian street and its magnificent neoclassical theater. But the main interest of a trip to Piraeus is its two marinas: the larger one, the Zea marina, and the second, smaller Mikrolimano.
Take a walk on the hill of Kastella (Prophet Elias). Located at 86 meters above sea level, it overlooks Mikrolimano and offers a magnificent view of the sea. It is very pleasant to walk through the narrow streets and steep stairs. Walking around, you can see beautiful neoclassical houses with pastel colors built in the 19th century.
Taste the Greek gastronomy
Visiting Athens in the off-season is also an opportunity to enjoy the interior of the small and cosy taverns with their typical and warm decoration.
We invite you to taste the moussaka or the delicious dishes in sauce with meat or pulses.
Enjoy a hot tea or coffee
Here are two delightful Athens refuges, both located in the heart of Athens:
– Chic version: treat yourself to a high-tea in the winter garden of the legendary Grande Bretagne Hotel.
– Alice in Wonderland” version: enjoy hot chocolate and incredible cakes in a slightly crazy fairy tale atmosphere at Little Kook Cake Shop.
A great weekend in Athens: practical side
As you can see, even in winter, Athens is a nice destination, which can be done over a few days. The capital is accessible within a few hours by plane from the main European capitals.
- You can plan this trip on your own. All you have to do is book your plane ticket – we recommend using the greek company Aegean Airlines. Then book accommodation in the city center on Booking (hotels, apartments, studios…). If you need some advice, we’ve listed here some of our favorite accommodations (hotels and apartments).
- Once there, the easiest way to get around is by public transportation. There are convenient 3-day packages. Here, you will find out about public transport options and fares in Athens.
Elodie H.
